LEADER INNSE GALL PROGRAMME 2007–2013 – FINAL PROJECTS APPROVED

Having awarded almost £3m to more than 80 community projects across the Outer Hebrides, the LEADER Innse Gall 2007-2013 community grants programme are unable accept further applications – after allocating the remainder of its funding to the final eight projects earlier this month.

Following announcement of the imminent closure of the Programme the Local Action Group received a large volume of interest and applications from a range of diverse and original projects – thus making their decision on the final allocation even harder.  However, eight innovative projects were successful and were awarded a total of £390,065 in European grant funding to assist them to develop and deliver unique community projects.

Chair of the LEADER Innse Gall Local Action Group, Cllr Archie K Campbell, commented:

“the Local Action Group has been overwhelmed with innovative projects over the past three years. We were impressed consistently by the drive and passion that groups throughout the Outer Hebrides demonstrated to ensure projects in their communities develop and flourish’.

LEADER Innse Gall can report that they have supported projects in all communities across the Outer Hebrides over the life of the Programme, although it was North Uist, Balivanich and South Uist who benefitted most in the final funding round.  Urras Tac Chalanais being the only group In Lewis to receive funding, to assist with developing and constructing their innovative camping pods site in Callanish.

Projects supported ranged in diversity from Uist Radio Ltd – which has been awarded funding to develop a radio station in the Uists, a new local service to the area – to Askernish Golf Club who received funding to assist with the development of their golfing facilities and activities.  Urachadh Uibhist received support to develop their marketing services and communication facilities available to the community – including a website and video-conferencing facilities. Southend Community Hall and Balivanich Community Centre both received funding to assist the development of each centre and with landscaping works.

Uist Wool will use LEADER grant funding to market and construct facilities to house their new and innovative wool-spinning mill which will bring training and employment opportunities to the islands. 

Ceolas Uibhist received LEADER support to assist them to develop and realise a trans-national project, which will include co-operating and networking with other LEADER supported groups in Finland, Estonia and two different areas in France. They will work collaboratively to build a network of research institutesfocusing on singing traditions and endangered minority languages in rural Europe. They will also hold festivals to promote these languages and their music by learning from the work that Ceòlas undertakes already.

Although the LEADER Innse Gall Local Action Group will no longer process new applications they will be fully occupied in supporting existing projects through the remainder of the process, and providing communities with networking opportunities to learn from the experiences of other groups.  Work is also currently underway to develop the next European LEADER programme, 2014-2020 – and the LEADER Innse Gall Local Action Group have been actively involved in influencing this process to ensure more financial grant support is allocated to the Outer Hebrides in future.

To find out more about LEADER Innse Gall projects and the programme please visit the website, www.outerhebridesleader.co.uk. Information will also be made available on any procurement and employment opportunities that LEADER supported projects may be offering.

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